Regular washing of your face is still essential, perhaps even more essential now because the hair is preventing the skin below from its normal wash and shave exfoliating routine.

No one wants to see it snow every time you scratch your face.

If you’re the type to seek out specialty products, then there are plenty of options out there for beard soap and beard oil.

If you’re not one for buying specialty products for your beard then remember this: facial hair is still hair, so extend your shampooing down to your chin and give your beard the same care as the rest of your hair.

In fact, a little bit of conditioner wouldn’t hurt either.

Unlike hair anywhere else, the hair on your face is going to come into contact with other people in intimate settings. A hello hug, a goodbye kiss, an evening in the bedroom.

The softer you can keep it the less you’ll hear complaints about it being scratchy and uncomfortable.

For tips on maintaining the hair on your head, give this article a read.

How to trim your beard

This is where modern style is having its most profound effect.

Once again purists don’t like hearing this, but your beard needs to be trimmed and shaved to make you look your best.

For growing a full beard it’s simple: clean up the cheekbones and the lower neck.

The cheekbones are where most men have trouble growing thick enough hair, so it only makes sense to shave away the patchy parts. The bonus here is that it will highlight your cheekbones, giving your face a more pleasing shape.

Have you heard a woman talk about highlights and shadows in her makeup? She’s doing it to accentuate her cheekbones.

As a guy, you’re fortunate enough that your beard isn’t painted on every day.

The Cheekbones

There are three different options for your cheekbones. The choice is really determined by the look you are going for and the way your facial hair grows naturally.

Like the Straight Baseline, with the Curve, you’re trying to create an obvious line where your bare skin ends and the beard begins.

This method works better if you don’t grow much hair on your cheeks.

Pick your two points like in the Straight Baseline but use a sweeping motion to curve the razor down your cheek as if there was a pendulum attached to your face.

The Neck

As for the neck, keep it simple.

The lower half-inch is usually where a beard causes the most itch and irritation so shave it off. The goal here is to create a clean line at the bottom where your beard ends.

How to style your beard and match it with your face shape

Just like haircuts, there are different beard styles out there for every face shape. Rather than use your beard to hide certain features let it bring the attention to where you want it.

Oval Face

Having an oval face is like winning the beard lottery. You can do anything you want. As long as hair grows well everywhere then the world is your oyster.

Square Face

You’ve got a strong looking jaw, and this is no time to hide it. Long held as a symbol of masculinity, a strong jawline will be accentuated by cleaner shaves down the cheek, almost like the inverse of the High-Rise detailed above.

Round Face

As a guy with a round face, the best thing you can do is change the perception of your face shape.

Longer hair on top with short sides, blending into a short beard on the side and slightly longer towards the mouth and chin will make your face look longer and bring the attention to center of your face.

Long Face

Use your beard to add a bit of width to your face, giving the impression of a stronger jawline.

Slightly longer on the sides than the bottom will keep the focus on your eyes, where you can keep the attention for as long as you’re interesting.

Triangular Face

For most people moustaches and goatees are out, but you’re a special case.

I’d recommend staying away from full-on 70’s ‘stache, but instead think of Petyr Baelish on Game of Thrones. It’ll bring attention to your mouth, as if you always have something interesting to say.

Short Beard Styles

This is what you see most celebrities sporting in between projects.

Everything from a few days stubble to a neatly trimmed few months growth. It can have a clean and sophisticated look with minor effort.

Full Beard Styles

Long beards scream dedication.

Not only have you been growing it for months if not years, your effort in keeping the hair healthy and brushed will be obvious. Avoid the bird’s nest.

Remember gentlemen, you style the beard, the beard doesn’t style you.

And if you’re growing a beard, you’ll want to maintain a clean and stylish haircut. Click here to check out our list of the 33+ trendiest men’s hairstyles for 2017.

How’s your trip down beard alley going so far? Chat with us about it in the comments!

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